At least 30 die in Egyptian riots after soccer verdict

New York Times

Published 11:00 pm, Saturday, January 26, 2013

CAIRO — The Egyptian government appeared to have lost control of the major city of Port Said on Saturday after a court sentenced 21 fans to death for their role in a deadly soccer riot and their supporters attacked the prison where they were being held, as well as the police and court buildings.

By evening, fighting in the streets of Port Said had left at least 30 people dead, mostly from gunfire, and injured more than 300. Fearful residents stayed in their homes. Doctors in the city said the local hospital was overloaded with casualties and pleaded for help. Water had run out in some places. Rioters attacked the Port Said power plant and for a time closed off the main roads to the city.

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A spokesman for the Interior Ministry acknowledged that its security forces were unable to control the violence and urged political leaders to try to broker a peace agreement. President Mohammed Morsi met with the National Defense Council, which includes the nation's top military leaders, and the information minister announced that the council was considering imposing a curfew and state of emergency.

By 8 p.m., a spokesman for the Egyptian military said its troops had moved in and secured vital facilities, including the prison, the Mediterranean port and the Suez Canal. But in telephone interviews, residents said the streets remained lawless.

“I'm worried for my sister and mother,” said Ahmed Zangir. “I could run or do something, but it is not safe for them to get out.” He added, “Thugs are abusing the opportunity. They are everywhere.”

The uprising in support of the soccer fans sentenced to death coincided with the third day of clashes between protesters and police in Cairo and other cities around the country, which were set off by the second anniversary of the revolt against and the eventual ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak.

The case that set off the riot grew out of a deadly brawl last February between rival groups of hard-core fans of soccer teams from Cairo and Port Said at a match in Port Said, which has a population of about 600,000. Seventy-four people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured in the soccer riot. Many died after being trampled under the stampeding crowds or falling from stadium balconies, according to forensic testimony later reported in the state media.